Giants Rumors: Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora & Michael Boley

Umenyiora has had a few rough seasons in recent years for the Giants and figures to test the open market. He’s had disputes with the team regarding his contract situation, but Giants owner John Mara recently said that he “would love to have” Umenyiora back next season. He wound up restructuring his contract and took a pay cut to remain with the team.

Umenyiora will likely command a contract that the Giants will be unwilling to pay for a defensive end that is third on the depth chart. We currently have Umenyiora as the No. 41 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents List

Graziano also mentions that he believes DL Justin Tuck “will be a Giant in 2013.“

Graziano adds that he’s not likely to be a cap-casualty because the “Giants have too much in the bank with Tuck to cut him loose.”

Keeping Tuck would afford them the ability to build their defensive front around more than just DE Jason Pierre-Paul.

Tuck has had sporadic moments where he has been both very productive and virtually non-existent in the Giants defense. Tuck’s effectiveness could have been impacted by injuries, but he is currently entering a contract year and will need to prove he is worth another big contract for the Giants.

Ohm Youngmisuk writes that it “remains to be seen” whether or not LB Michael Boley will be brought back for another season.

Boley, 30, is entering the final year of current contract and will make $4.25 million this season. He wound up being benched for the team’s final three games of the 2012 season, which is a pretty clear indication that he’s not going to be a part of their future plans unless he’s willing to reduce his salary.

Youngmisuk adds that the Giants need improve the speed of their line-backing corp next season and are hopeful that Jacquian Williams will be a big contributor for them.

It will be interesting to see whether or not they target someone in free agency or the draft to improve their current group of linebackers.